Gary Monk revealed in Thursday’s press conference that Alex Hunt could be loaned out in January to continue his development. The Sheffield Wednesday manager said the 19-year-old was “progressing really well” and could be granted a temporary move away from Hillsborough as competition for places in the first-team are fierce.
Monk said: “(Hunt) is progressing really well. Unfortunately for him, he’s probably in the most competitive area we’ve got in terms of midfield. But he’s doing very well, very pleased with him. (It will) be a decision in these coming months whether it’s keeping him in and around (the first-team) or is it an opportunity to send him out on loan. We’ll decide that for him, whatever is the best for his development.”
Wednesday are overstocked in midfield – Sam Hutchinson, Joey Pelupessy, Kieran Lee, Massimo Luongo, Barry Bannan – so Hunt may struggle to get regular playing time. The 19-year-old has made one appearance at senior level for the Owls, playing 45 minutes in Wednesday’s 2-0 EFL Cup win over Sunderland (August 16, 2018). He’s made the matchday squad on three other occasions too.
Hunt was an unused substitute in the Owls’ 1-1 draw with Hull City (August 11, 2018), 2-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers (August 28, 2018) and 2-1 defeat to Blackburn Rovers (November 2, 2019). The Englishman has clearly impressed Monk enough to be recently included in the squad, but Hunt won’t keep his place on the bench due to too much competition.
Wednesday welcome back Luongo and Hutchison ahead of Saturday’s meeting with West Bromwich Albion, so Monk has a difficult decision to make.
